This document outlines various shot types, camera angles, and camera movements used in filmmaking. It describes extreme long shots and long shots used to establish settings and draw audiences in. Mid shots, two shots, and three shots are used to depict people from the waist up, especially for dialogue scenes. Close ups and extreme close ups focus on faces or objects to draw attention. Camera angles like high angles, low angles, and Dutch angles can diminish characters, make them seem threatening, or create an unsettling feel. Camera movements include pans, tilts, tracking shots, aerial shots, and zooms to focus on objects without cuts.

1. Shot Types in Film:
Extreme Long Shot (ELS) – Also known as an establishing shot. Often used at the beginning of a
sequence to ‘establish’ the setting in which the scene takes place.
Long Shot (LS) – A shot that portrays the scene in a realistic perspective. It can also be defined as a
Full Shot, a shot that contains a person from head to toe. This can be used to draw the audience into
a scene after an establishing shot.
Mid Shot (MS) – A shot depicting a person from the waist up. Can be used for dialogue
2 shot – A MS containing 2 people. Used for travelling scenes and dialogue.
3 shot - A MS containing 3 people. Used for travelling scenes and dialogue.
Close Up (CU) – A shot depicting a person from the shoulders/neck up or depicting a specific item or
prop in the scene. Used to draw the audiences attention to a specific person or item. Can be used for
dialogue
Extreme Close Up (ECU) - A detailed shot either displaying a person’s facial feature (i.e. the eye.) or
an important object. Used for dramatic effect to display emotions or to draw the audience’s
attention
Camera Angles:
Birds Eye View – A high angled shot normally directly overhead the character. Combined with an ELS
it can be used to establish a scene.
High Angle – Shot by the camera pointing down at the character. Used to diminish a character and
make them seem smaller.
Eye Level – Most commonly used angle. Used to depict dialogue and in most other scenes. This gives
a naturalistic effect to the scene.
Low Angle – Shot by the camera pointing up at the character. Used to add height to buildings, also
makes characters seem taller and more threatening.
Dutch Angles – The camera is tipped and not level with the floor. This gives a sense of unease to the
scene. This angle is more commonly used in the Horror or suspense genre.
Camera Movement:
Pan – Horizontal camera movement across a scene
Tilt –Vertical camera movement across a scene.
Tracking (Dolly Shots) – Camera moves alongside the action. These can be aerial (achieved by a
crane), in a car, or more conventionally on a dolly.
Aerial Shot - Usually an ELS shot from an aeroplane or a helicopter. Used to give a sense of grandeur
and exhilaration

2. Zoom – Used to focus on an object within a scene without editing. Can be achieved by a zoom lens
or by physically moving the camera closer to the object